American Chain Gang (1999) User Reviews

Boring with the same old pros and cons concerning prison punishment

[aliasstone · 4/10 · 29 October 2017]

This is suppose to be a documentary on the reinstating of prison chain gangs. The interviews with prison officials and guards is good, however there's too much complaining by prisoners who hate the chains which is also included in this. The liberal side of the movie seems to indicate that the chains are barbaric and inhumane when in fact the chains are mostly applied to hardened repeat offenders, escape risks, and those who constantly violate prison rules and policies. As it so often goes, the prisoners interviewed here blame society for their crimes (no jobs, lack of education, poverty, etc., etc., etc.) as opposed to taking responsibility for their own choices in life. Maybe those with the anti- social behavior patterns need to see this movie in order to see that prison is no playground and that its primary purpose is punishment and a consequence to bad choices and not meant to be some rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation is a personal choice and not a prison responsibility so maybe chains are the way to go in an effort to show that prison isn't a fun place to be especially if one doesn't follow the rules. Bottom line? If one can't do the time then don't do the crime and this movie shows some of the consequences of those who still choose to do the crime.